They are pretty vulnerable in a modern integrated air defense environment. However, weve tended to fight wars where such doesnt exist, or doesnt exist for long. And fundamentally, the Air Force has to be drug kicking and screaming to provide true close air support, which is an aspect of this vote. Its part of why the Marines have never given up their air component.
If the Air Farce doesnt want the A-10s, they can give them to the Army.